Lilypie - Kids Birthday

Lilypie - Fourth Birthday

Friday, April 27, 2012

Collin Cooper is 15 months old today! Every age has been fun, of course, but Collin is such a blast right now! His little-man mannerisms and the quick way he picks up new skills is fascinating and exciting. :-)

Collin has been chatty pretty much all of his life, and we've been excited to really hear his voice. This month didn't disappoint on that front! He'll imitate pretty much anything we say, and even if it doesn't sound exactly right, it's still awesome that he's trying! Words that Collin says that are matched to the actual meaning include: nose, eye, belly, plane, ball, nap, puppy, woof-woof, kitty, meow, moo, birdy, tweet-tweet, beep-beep, cheese, and please.

Just one word - please - has huge meaning and is very, very useful. Just ask Collin! :-) When he's stuck, he says "please" so we can help him get unstuck. When he's waiting at the top of the stairs, he says "please" so we can carry him down. If he wants to be held, he raises his arms and says "please." When he wants something, he points and says "please." If he really wants something, he might even say "please, please, please!" :-)

It's been fun to watch our guy learn how often he gets what he wants if he just uses the magic word. The other day we were out in the front yard and he walked into the garage, stood at the door of Daddy's Jeep, raised his arms, and said "please please" to communicate that he wanted to sit on the seat of the Jeep. Awesome! Of course he can't have everything he says "please" for, which is something he's still learning.

Collin is a great listener too. We've been pretty impressed by how well he follows directions - go choose a book to read, put the toy back in the basket, sit down, bring your shoes over here, and more.

Sweet boy is learning about body parts and now identifies his belly, toes, hands, hair, mouth, ears, nose, eyes, and tongue. He identifies most of those same parts on us too.

Some of our favorite mannerisms are the way he clenches his fists and his jaw with a huge smile when he's excited, giggles while we're getting food ready for him, claps when he hears others clapping, crosses his ankles when he's sitting, absentmindedly taps his fingers while he's watching out the window, rests his hands on top of each other while he's sitting in his high chair, and simultaneously puts himself closer and pulls himself away while we're tickling him.

Collin has learned some new tricks this month, including turning onto his belly to get off the couch and using his drum as a step stool to get onto his toybox. He's brave about climbing up on things, but cautious enough that he wants help getting back down. We (and his forehead!) don't mind if he keeps that fear a little bit longer!

Our little man's favorite hobbies include reading books (with his ankles crossed, of course), watching his neighborhood out the window, copying Dad and Mom, playing in his backyard, pointing at airplanes as they fly overhead, driving his toy cars, playing at the park, playing with his puppies, and helping Daddy with "man chores."

A big first this month is Collin's first babysitter (besides his grandparents). He has taken to Kimmie really well, and we're so excited about it! We've struggled with separation anxiety for months and months, so his acceptance of a stranger is the first glimpse of a light at the end of the tunnel.

Collin Cooper is an absolute treasure and we are so very grateful to be his parents. He's charming and loving, intelligent and creative, funny and entertaining. He's the coolest kid we know and we are lucky and blessed to be his parents!

Luke 12:7 "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

As I type this, Collin is upstairs playing with our new babysitter, Kimmie.

If you've tried spending time alone with Collin, you know it's a huuuuuuuuge deal that he's with someone besides Daddy or Mommy. The plan is for Kimmie to spend several afternoons a week with us so Collin has plenty of time to get used to her before staying alone with her for any significant amount of time.

Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Tooth number 6 (top right) popped through overnight, just in time for Collin's first dentist appointment this morning! He did a really nice job getting his teeth cleaned, and the dentist said his teeth look great. :-)